"The undersigned respectfully asks leave to report, that since his appointment by the Governor, under a resolution of the legislature, to enquire into the condition of the public poor and the insane, in the State of Rhode-Island; he has visited all the towns, with the exception of New Shoreham, and has personally inspected the Asylums for the poor; recording the names of all the inmates, together with such other items as he thought might be useful, either for present purposes or for future reference."